ID needed for alcohol?

[Richard M Nixon]

I'd rather not take important stuff like my ID unless absolutely necessary, lest I lose it and have a tough time getting on my flight, etc. Is my age stored in my magicband so I don't have to show ID at every single booth in Epcot, dining, wherever?

If not, it really should be...

 

[robinb]

Well Dick, considering you are dead I don't see a reason why you would need an ID .

 

[POOHsie]

I think the State of Florida makes the alcohol-legal I.D. rules, not Disney. Anyone could lie about their age for their MDE file, as Disney doesn't run a background check on you. And Disney has no picture of you. I could imagine some over-21 people having the bright idea to switch Magic Bands with their under-age friends so they could get a drink, if it was that easy.

I've traveled to lots of places over many decades, and always had I.D. on me. Never lost it. My guess is most others feel about the same as me. If you have a front pocket to keep it in, that might be safest. You know, if your Magic Band has a glitch and your dining/ticket/room key info is messed up, you will need to show I.D. for Disney to fix it. Just sayin' ...

 

[Disfan1968]

ID is required for purchase of alcoholic drinks. I actually asked this question a while back and some people made some good points as to why you might want to bring it anyway. The best reason is in case the computers go down, and therefore your magic band along with them. You WILL need ID to get into a park at that point, and if you want to charge anything to your credit card, your magic band will not work at that point either.

There were numerous other good points made, but that one was the best. Someone else in your party could carry a credit card and health insurance info of course, but identity for park admission will have to be proven the old fashioned way for adults should computers go down, and to be clear, they DO go down from time to time.

 

[KeroKero]

I've only ever been asked for my ID once while buying alcohol in WDW. I generally do look young for my age, but I don't think I look under 21, so to be on the safe side, I always carry it around with me.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The Magic Band only identifies child or adult
. . . 3-9 years old = child
. . . over 9 years old = adult
2) This is not valid for a liquor/beer ID.

NOTE: There is surprisingly limited amount of personal info on the Magic Bands.

 

[aaarcher86]

Considering I could tell them any birthdate I want to have stored on my profile I doubt they'll ever consider keeping it stored there and it being sufficient.

 

[jeffbear]

Just back from a trip with my 23 year old daughter. She wasn't asked for ID once the entire trip and if I'm honest, she looks like a 16 year old. She gets IDed routinely at R Rated movies, but not Epcot.

I'm not saying they never ID, I'm just saying they apparently never ID my kid ... who they OUGHT to ID.

 

[aaarcher86]

I've always been ID'd and I don't think I look anywhere near 21 years old. Maybe it's my sheer, and utter giddiness when I'm ordering my Grey Goose Slushie and they find that questionable

Either way, OP, bring the ID. If they want to see it and you don't have it you won't be served. It's one of those 'better to have it and not need it' scenarios.

 

[Richard M Nixon]

Well Dick, considering you are dead I don't see a reason why you would need an ID .

Everyone always rags on Nixon...

I think the State of Florida makes the alcohol-legal I.D. rules, not Disney. Anyone could lie about their age for their MDE file, as Disney doesn't run a background check on you. And Disney has no picture of you. I could imagine some over-21 people having the bright idea to switch Magic Bands with their under-age friends so they could get a drink, if it was that easy.

I've traveled to lots of places over many decades, and always had I.D. on me. Never lost it. My guess is most others feel about the same as me. If you have a front pocket to keep it in, that might be safest. You know, if your Magic Band has a glitch and your dining/ticket/room key info is messed up, you will need to show I.D. for Disney to fix it. Just sayin' ...

Well you're always asked for photo ID on check-in so it would be a nice courtesy, but I do see that people could swap magic bands. I know Disney would rather be safe.

I haven't lost my ID before, but I'm always wary of rides and all the walking. Maybe I should invest in a handsome chain, or just become by father and carry around a hideous fanny pack...the horror...

 

[Micca]

I've never lost anything at WDW. If it's cold and I'm wearing jeans I keep my wallet with my id, credit cards, cash etc in my hip pocket like I do everywhere else. In warm weather I'm wearing cargo shorts and the the wallet goes in one of the pockets(you could even keep it in a pocket that buttons for extra protection.)
I'd think the fanny pack would be less secure than just carrying a wallet in your pocket.

 

[Stefecatzz]

I go pretty often & have been there at all the different seasons. I have been IDd at times & sometimes I wouldn't be at all (maybe some of the bartenders began to recognize me after a while?). If you will be there for an event like F&W or F&G or during spring break or another major holiday like NYE, be prepared to be asked more often.

 

[SnapesGirl]

We were just there from May 1 to May 15th. I'm 29 but I do look quite young. I ordered 5 drinks during the trip. I did not get carded at Chef Mickey, Kona Cafe or at the France Pavilion (when I ordered the Grey Goose). I did get carded at Jiko and at La Cava. Strangely enough, they accepted my Quebec driver's license, which was in French. So yes, its very random!

 

[Tanyabeth8]

I get carded at home all the time, but have never been carded in Disney. I still carry it with me just in case.

 

[figment_jii]

I don't look 21 anymore either and I always get carded at Disney. In the end, OP, if you really don't want to carry anything except your Magic Band, then you have to expect that you won't be able to buy any drinks and there may be other things you won't be able to do if something happens with the Magic Band.

Some else asked about going wallet less at Disney and several folks had some good reminders about things that you should have with you that won't be on the Magic band.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3278395

 

[Gracie09]

I always carry id with me so it's a no brainer to bring it to Disney. I always get carded too. My husband never, me always. Intake it as a complement since her grey and I'm not.

 

[mare1203]

You should always carry an ID. Whether at WDW, running/exercising, at the mall, or out in public in general I think there should be a way for others to identify you, alcohol-related or not. Also, the time you don't bring it with you will be the time you're carded and Disney doesn't do the "what's your birthday" thing. They just won't serve you and they won't allow your wife to then order and give it to you. Not saying there aren't ways around this, but you wouldn't want to be stuck in that situation in real-time.

If you want to be as minimalistic as possible (beyond pockets), look into getting a SPIBelt. Generally used by runners, the pouch fits around your waist and holds small items like smartphones and ID's. They can be bought at sports stores such as Dicks or running stores. I use one to run and have used it at Disney because it can easily be tucked out of site, unlike those dreaded fanny packs you mention. The negative is that you should be careful if you are storing your phone and ID together as there aren't separate compartments and the ID could slip out if you are trying to access your phone, but this is also quite rare.

People at Disney are typically honest, especially with an ID. In the unlikely event you do lose your ID , then the vast majority will turn it in and it will be held by cast members or sent up front to guest relations. Vacationers sympathize with the stress of others and what they would do if it were them.

 

[hockeygirl14]

Depends on how old you are! Did you recently turn 21 or look young? Last summer I hardly ever got ID'd and I just turned 21 last may - I probably look around 21 but definitely get id'd here at home in Canada all the time(where the drinking age is lower). I would keep it handy just to be safe

 

[LilyWDW]

I HAVE been carded at Disney... and quite often.

Take your ID. In fact, you should always carry ID. It's just the smart thing to do.

 

[itchin2go]

You could swap magic bands with anyone. There's no picture ID - so I don't get how that would work.

Also, I don't mean this to be snarky, but how likely is it that you will lose your ID at WDW? I don't think it's any more likely than losing it at the mall, or work, or anywhere else. I know that's not what you asked (and I hate it when people don't just answer the question), but maybe you're over-estimating the likelihood of losing your ID?

Long story short, I wouldn't go without my ID whether or not I planned to order alcoholic beverages. If I definitely wanted to order alcohol, I would FOR SURE bring it. That's just me ....